Saturday, 12 November 2011

Club Historians receives a fair few messages from people 'down under', many of them people who emigrated years ago or those who are Aussie born but seeking information about family history back in the UK. Australia has its own share of clubs which have much in common with our own.

We have published the first message from Maria, who grew up in the UK and has some lovely memories of the clubs. Maria has kindly agreed to act as a sort of coordinator for us. If anyone else in Australia is reading and has something they want to share, please get in touch!

At the same time I had my first ever trip to Hunstanton. What a wonderful place! An inexpensive weekend in a caravan where the site had a fantastic club house. No luck at bingo I'm afraid but enjoyable nonetheless.

The evening entertainment was faultless firstly with Carry on Cabaret (from my neighbouring town of Worksop) on Friday. Saturday was the Halloween Fancy Dress with Back2Beat packing the dance floor.

Sunday, 25 September 2011

A key and interesting question doing the rounds at the moment concerns electronic or electric cigarettes.

The manufacturer's claim that these beat the ban and are currently legal to smoke in the office, plane, pub and club. They back this up with the logical arguments that there is no danger of passive smoking,
massively reduced risk to health according to the experts they have interviewed, no tar or carcinogens and no smell.

What is an electronic cigarette?
"An electronic cigarette, electric cigarette or vaporize cigarette, is a battery-powered device that provides inhaled doses of nicotine or non-nicotine vaporized solution. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. In addition to purported nicotine delivery, this vapour also provides a flavour and physical sensation similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no smoke or combustion is actually involved in its operation". (from wikipedia).

By way of research we would like to ask for your experiences with electronic cigarettes and your comments on what you feel about the e-cigarette and clubs.

If you would like to read more about electronic cigarettes take a look at their website.

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

BBC's 'The One Show" 24 August 2011Ruth travelled to Blackpool in order to appear on The One Show and add
her opinion to a televised feature covering the history and the current state of
clubs.

The present situation was described as; ‘One of the last
bastions of British Social life is in decline, the good old working man's
club.’

Clubs have been the springboard for some of our best known
entertainers. One of them, Russell Watson, was asked to find out how they're
adapting to life in the 21st century.

Russell
visited the Blackpool Philarmonic Club where he had performed previously. He
and Ruth discussed club history together with the rise and fall in popularity.
Discussions revealed that the number of clubs in Blackool has fallen from 32
down to 15, following the national trend. More detail on the website.

If anyone managed to record the programme could you let us know please. Ruth would like a copy if possible.

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Here's where you can just pop down the shopping centre for a pint and you can also enjoy a bit of country and western and a hot lunch to go with it.

The new, relocated Trades Club can be found right next to the food court in Frenchgate Shopping Centre. When Ruth from Club Historians visited in early March 2011, under recommendation from locals, she couldn't help thinking how handy it was to have a club slap bang in the middle of a modern, indoor shopping area.

The Trades has been in this location for just over 2 years, covering four floors which are connected by lift and stairs, all tastefully decorated and furnished. The club was occupying land needed by the development company and was asked to move to make way for Frenchgate, part of Doncaster's regeneration. Part of the deal was it being placed in a similar location which puts it right at the heart of the shopping mall.

Hello to any club goers, past and present out there. We are keen to keep alive the club spirit that existed for so long in working men's and other clubs over the years. Ok- so times have changed, but so can clubs to keep themselves at the heart of local communities.
If you would like to know more about what has been going on to write the history of clubs and to bring folk together, please take a look at www.clubhistorians.co.uk
More soon!
RC